SpiceJet welcomes first new Boeing delivery

8 November 2007

The Boeing Company and SpiceJet have celebrated the delivery of the airline’s
first Next-Generation 737-900ER (Extended Range) airplane.With this
delivery, SpiceJet becomes the first India-based airline to operate the
737-900ER. SpiceJet originally announced its decision to purchase five
737-900ERs and five 737-800s at the 2006 Asian Aerospace Air Show in
Singapore.
“We are proud to be the first Indian airline to operate the 737-900ER,”
said SpiceJet board director Bhulo Kansagra. “With its reliability, low
operating cost and passenger comfort, the 737 provides value that is
unmatched and supports our mission of being India’s preferred low-cost
airline.”
All of the airplanes will be equipped with performance-enhancing
Blended Winglets, which improve fuel efficiency and reduce CO2 emissions by
up to four percent.
“The 737 plays an integral role in meeting the needs of India’s rapidly
growing aviation market,” said Dinesh Keskar, vice president of Sales,
Boeing Commercial Airplanes. “We look forward to continuing to work closely
with this valued customer as it expands its operations and serves its
passengers.”
Boeing announced the launch of the 737-900ER program in July 2005. The
737-900ER incorporates a new pair of exit doors and a flat, rear-pressure
bulkhead that allow a maximum capacity of 220 passengers in a single-class
layout. Aerodynamic and structural design changes—including strengthened
wings, a two-position tailskid, enhancements to the leading and
trailing-edge flap systems, optional Blended Winglets, and auxiliary fuel
tanks—will allow the 737-900ER to accommodate higher takeoff weights and
increase its range to 3,200 nautical miles (5,900 km).
The 737-900ER has substantial economic advantages over competing models
including 6 percent lower operating costs per trip and 4 percent lower
operating costs per seat than the A321—which is more than 9,550 pounds
(4,340 kg) heavier. The 737-900ER joins the 737-600, -700, -700ER and -800
airplanes and will share the same industry-leading reliability of the other
Next-Generation 737 series models.
As of Oct. 31, eight customers have placed orders for 169
Next-Generation 737-900ERs. The 737 is the best-selling commercial jetliner
in history, with more than 7,000 orders to more than 240 customers around
the world. Boeing has nearly 1,800 unfilled orders for the airplane with a
value exceeding $125 billion at current list prices.——-